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Marcello’s theatre

Marco Claudio Marcello was son of Gaio Claudio Marcello (once consul), and Ottavia Minore, Augusto’s sister. He descended from Marco Claudio Marcello “the sword of Rome”, five times consul, the conqueror of Syracuse, the only general, before Scipio, who defeated Hannibal.

Marco Claudio Marcello was born in 42 a.C. He was destined to become emperor after Augusto, who adopted him, but died nineteen years old.

Tacito, the Roman historian, insinuates the suspect that Livia Drusilla, Augusto’s wife and Tiberio’s mother, was involved in his death, for the good reason that never Tiberio, Marcello alive, would be the Roman emperor.

But indeed Tacito, as most of latin historian, represented the senatorial party, ever and ever enemy of Giulio – Claudia dynasty and in particular of Tiberio.

Anywhere Tiberio Claudio Nerone, just as Marcello, was a member of the Claudia Gens (family), that since the time of  the consul Appio Claudio (450 a.C.), was opposed by most of the aristocratic families of Rome, who suspected the Claudii to want the supremacy.

The destiny sometimes jokes with men, at last the aristocratic were right.